Have you ever gone through a bad patch? One of those times in your life when everything, just every single thing seems to spiral out of control?
It started with my job. I’m a fund-raiser, which is a great way to make a living. I won’t go into details, but I happened to discover that my boss was up to his ears in a breach of ethics. When I brought it to his attention, (nicely, I assure you!), he made it perfectly clear that he had no plans to do anything about it and the subject was closed.
Now, I’m really a very grounded person. I’m not prone to being dramatic or flighty, but I couldn’t continue working for a company that condoned something that was so wrong. I quit. Right then and there.
My boyfriend Ben is a lawyer. Cute, but definitely leans to nerdy. He’s driving me crazy by reminding me over and over that the smart thing to do is find a new job, then quit the old one. It’s too late for that, so does he have to keep telling me?
Today we drove down to his boss’s vineyard for a fancy dinner. On the way, Ben asked me not to talk about my employment issues. Okay, I understood, it was his night, and he wanted to impress his boss. But then he had to go and tell me that everyone would realize soon enough that I was persona non grata in the fundraising community. I guess I realized it on some level, but it’s depressing to contemplate going into another field.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, his boss’s daughter, Kim, latched onto Ben the moment we arrived. Honestly, I don’t think she was more than ten feet away from him the whole time. Her mother even examined my hand for an engagement ring and told me Ben had dated Kim. Huh? Like he couldn’t have warned me about that before he took me into enemy territory?
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, I received a call from my grandmother’s best friend, telling me I’d better come right away. Ben loaned me his car (Kim is going to drive him home ¬– oh no!), and I drove for hours to the mountains in the pouring rain, nearly running out of gas.
Luckily, I found a gas station, but now I’m soaked. Wet wool – need I say more? When I opened the door, a little stray dog jumped into Ben’s car. She’s very sweet with darling eyes like a baby seal, but she’s been homeless for quite a while. Her fur is dirty and wet, and she, well, she stinks!
Ben’s perfect, pristine car now smells like a dirty dog, has drenched seats, and nacho cheese Doritos mashed into the coffee-stained carpet. It’s the middle of the night, and I’m driving up a twisting mountain road to see my beloved grandmother at the Sugar Maple Inn on Wagtail Mountain, scared to pieces about what might be wrong with her, and wondering how I’m going to sneak a dirty little dog into the inn. It can’t get worse – can it?
You can read more about Holly in Murder, She Barked, the first book in the new “Paws & Claws” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on December 4, and you will be entered to win a copy of Murder, She Barked. One winner will be chosen at random. 
As a bonus for our furry friends, Krista is giving away a Murder, She Barked bandana for one lucky dog or cat who leave a comment as well. If you send Krista a picture of your pet with the bandana on, she’ll post the picture on her website or on Pinterest and they will be part of the Murder She Barked street Crew. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Krista Davis’s new series for animal lovers debuts on December 3rd, with Murder, She Barked. Like her characters, Krista has a soft spot for cats, dogs, and cupcakes. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with three dogs, and two cats. The Diva Frosts a Cupcake is the seventh book in her Domestic Diva Mystery series. Three of those books have been nominated for Agatha awards and three have made the New York Times Bestseller list.
Visit Krista at Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen | Twitter | Killer Characters
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Huge dog lover here – huge animal lover in general. I look forward to reading this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Any book with a dog is a book for me. We lost our last four-footer over 5 years ago and cannot replace her.
Since I already follow the Diva series, I am looking forward to trying this new one! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
I am so looking forward to reading this one…. Love my dogs…..
A mystery that included a dog certainly has my attention. Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the info!
Great beginning. Love the protag (and the dog) already. Good luck with the book and the series.
Sounds really good.
I love all cozies with dogs or cats. I have trouble with wool even if it isn’t wet. Would love to read and scratch away with this book!
Sounds like a book I would really like. I love dogs and cats!
My Koda is helping me write this comment.
I love the idea of stopping for gas and acquiring a dog. How sweet (albeit, stinky)
If you already have wet wool smell in your car – adding wet dog smell is nothing – this does sound like a book I would love. Thanks Dru Ann for the chance at winning it.
I had a dog for many years… Then I grew up and moved out of the family home leaving that poor dog to my mother’s care. Cuddles was 15 when she passed away.
My partner and I had bought into a co-op which had a no dog policy and we’re both hugely allergic to cats… so we’ve lived pet (but not kid) free for 41 years.
I love Krista’s writing and would love to win a copy of the book and the pet bandana (I’d give it to my niece for her Main Coon cat).
My daughter is a dog lover and would love this book, thank you for hosting this giveaway.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Would love to win a copy of your new book. Today is my son s birthday so I am feeling lucky!
I love this series, and would be thrilled to win a copy ! Cozies with animals are my hands down favs
Sounds like a winner. Put me in the draw, please.
I am always drawn to books with dogs in them, being a huge dog lover myself. Your series sounds so delightful, I am looking forward to reading it and hopefully more to follow.
I enjoy books by Krista Davis, and would love to read this one! =)
Thanks for the chance to win!
Cupcakes, cats and dogs…a few of my favorite things, too!
I have loved all of Krista’s book so far so this won’t be the exception, I am sure of that. Would love to be the recipient of this book and thank you for that chance to win.
Sounds like a great book. I can hardly wait to read it — and as for the scarf — Sushi and Sake would have to share it but they would love to have one.
I’m excited about this new series from Krista Davis.
My copy of Murder, She Barked came in the mail yesterday – I’d pre-ordered from Amazon. Looking forward to reading it.
I’m reading it now and enjoying it.
Thanks to Krista for introducing us to Holly.
Contest is closed and a winner will be notified this evening.